Garth

Message: I have never traveled to Europe before.I plan on spending Christmas and New Years, with my girl friend, in either London or Paris but I can't decided which one. Which will have the larger public celibration of New Years? London seems easier, no language problems, but Paris seems more romantic, but without speaking French how fun can it be? Any Hotel recommendations appreciated also.

Carl

My wife and I just got back from 2 weeks in Europe. We went to London and Paris both. I can't say one was better than the other because both were great, the people in both were very helpful, and they are entirely different from each other. Language is not a problem in Paris as most of the people there speak enough English to communicate. You need to try to speak some French though to show respect for their culture, they will help you more if you do. As far as New Years Eve, my bet would be on Paris as the party site. They are planning a huge party at the Eiffel Tower and the park across the river. They have a gigantic count down clock on the side of the Eiffel that's counting down the days to New Years Eve. Which ever one you choose will be the right choice because both are great but you may be to late for hotel reservations because both will be popular. Good Luck!

Bob Brown

Paris is better than London? <BR>It all depends on what you want. <BR>If you like attending live theatre, you will need to be expert in French to understand anything!! <BR>But I am curious, how could you hope to devise an accurate scale to measure two such sophisticated, cosmopoliton, multi-faceted, and international cities? Just what are your the linear dimensions of your evaluation?? <BR>

Iam

Bob, you are such a snob ass! Did you even read the message? Who are you, Christina all of the sudden?

Sheila

Bob, <BR> <BR>How about we found a club for "victims of foreigners ho don't know irony when it bites them on the ass!"?

dan woodlief

I don't think Bob needs my defense, but I think all he was saying is that it depends on what your main interests are.

Frank

Garth: Both are wonderful, you would be hard pressed to make a choice. I would agree that London is easier regarding common language. Paris can be more difficult particularly when ordering from menus. Regarding Hotels, what is your budget? <BR>

Hey Buster Brown

Dear Mr. Brown <BR>I am sorry I had no "scale" or "linear dimensions" in mind but chose to pose the question in a provocative way in order to drain individuals, like yourself, subjective opinion of each city. But if you insist on criteria, 1. Significance of public celebration ( I can say I was at the coolest place in the world on New Years Eve), 2. Quality of interaction with locals i.e. limited in Paris (because I am an English only speaker) 3. Memorable and romantic experience, how memorable can being ignored by minimum wage worker and public servants, while I slaughter the French language, be? I am sure you see my point. Is Paris so great that it will be worth putting up with the extra struggle. Remember I am a first timer. 4. Budge of about $4000 for two people, 3 weeks (New Years in the Capital but not necessarily all 3 weeks). 5. By the way the correct spelling of "cosmopoliton" is cosmopolitan. Just a typing error on your part I am sure. <BR> <BR>I love that Irony. Or is it sarcasm I love I am not sure? <BR> <BR>Thanks Garth <BR> <BR>

wes fowler

Garth, <BR>I've read far more about preparations for New Year's Eve in London than Paris. London appears to be really going off the deep end because of Greenwich what with the Millenium dome, monster ferris wheel (if it ever gets erected) and any number of concerts. Paris's preparations have appeared to be low key in comparison. I think London for the larger celebration, Paris for the romantic atmosphere. I question whether in either city a budget of $4000 will get you through three weeks, particularly if that $4000 includes airfare. I question, too, how successful you'll be in getting accommodations in either city at this late date. What planning have you done? What research into the availability and costs of accommodations?

Bob Brown

Perhaps my first posting under this topic was too hastily constructed, but it was not presented in an attempt to provoke hostility or engender inflammatory remarks. It reminds me of the title of a movie "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Well, I wasn't trying at all and seemed to have struck oil. <BR> <BR>However, being called names is nothing new. <BR> <BR>In an effort to give a little information to Garth, let me make a couple of observations on our recently concluded trip to Paris. I did not quite have his budget, but we had a very good time at relatively minimal expense. I speak very little French, but during our visit to Paris, I do not feel I was ignored because of it, particularly in restaurants. The waitstaff was usually very professional, and tolerant of polite Americans. (I saw some, who were obnoxious, get roundly ignored by the same fellow who in good humor helped me pronounce French and then talked to us in English.) <BR> <BR>I unfortunately am too much of a square to attempt to answer the question of whether or not London or Paris would provided the "coolest" place to ring in the new century. I would, however, like to suggest that finding a good hotel room might be hard this late date. Many hotels have raised their prices some 15% to 20% in anticipation of high demand. <BR>If you want to consider Paris, try a Forum search on Paris Hotels. Many opinions have been offered over the last year or so. Also this web site might be helpful: <BR>http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/75paccue.htm <BR>Some of the little hotels way out in the 15th, 14th, or the eastern districts may still have something available. I also figure that London will present the same difficulty. <BR>I might add, that in London, Dec 26 is known as Boxing Day, and many shops are closed. We arrived in London on Boxing Day and even had a hard time finding a place to eat other than the hotel.

Marie

Garth, <BR>I could have a pretty good time with a budget of $4,000, but I guess it depends on your tastes, etc. Of course if the $4,000 includes airfare (depending on where you are flying from) it could eat into that a bit. Don't worry about not speaking French, nearly all those who come in contact with tourists speak English. In fact most French people speak enough English that you would not have a problem anyplace...I would suggest learning a few phrases tho, it can't hurt! Paris might be "prettier" what with the celebrations at the Eiffel Tower but I'm sure London will be great too. The new "London Eye" should be up and running, that is a huge 400 ft (or so, not sure of exact number) high ferris wheel which has been going up along the Thames River. Your biggest concern is finding hotel accommodations I would think. I'd get busy on that right away, as that may dictate which city you end up in. I've been in London on Boxing Day as well, there is not much going on, even the Underground runs on a limited schedule. As for nightlife, London wins hands down in my opinion, but that is mostly because I love the theater.

Roger

Does anyone remember the song sung in My Fair Lady that goes somethign like "Why can't the Engish speak Engish" My point being that I had more trouble understanding English in England than English in France. In Wales on a taxi ride the driver spoke to me for the entire trip and I never understood one word. Just nodded and smiled in return. <BR>

elvira

The big question, in my mind, is can you get hotel accommodations? And, as some of the festivities in each city are by invitation, can you get invites? Or, if it is an admissions-type affair, are there tickets left? Finally, hotels are upping their usual prices for the Millenium celebration (by a LOT in many cases) so what we consider 'budget' hotels will be charging 'luxury' prices. <BR>There are several tour companies offering New Year's packages (many are VERY expensive), but you might check those, in case you can't find accommodations. <BR>

Bored

I can't imagine what would be either cool or romantic about spending New Year's Eve in a place you know nothing about with a lot of people who are there only to say they were in the coolest place in the world. How cool can it be if they are there? <BR> <BR>I spent last New Year's Eve in Paris, my favorite city, and it was great, but very low-key compared to what I've seen in the U.S.

sabrina

If you're with your girlfriend I'd doubt you'd be bored, even if you didn't know anybody else. But honestly, you might have more fun someplace like New York City. If you're hellbent on going abroad, I'd pick Paris. London has better nightlife and theater -- Paris has better everything else.

Mary

Go to Paris. One can starve in London.

Arianne

I, personally, love Paris and have never been to London... But I will be visiting both next spring! Anyway, I am sure both will have large celebration, and although Paris is known for it's "romantic" atmosphere, I have had friends who spent New Year's and Bastille Day there last year who said it was overrated. TOO many people pushing an shoving, harassment, and even teenagers throwing "fireworks" (lack of better word) at their feet. <BR> <BR>I guess that it all depends on what you want... I also see the concern for finding accomodation.

Erin

New Year's Eve celebrations will be the same no matter where you go. Tons of druken annoying people and high prices. ..does it really matter which city? Personally I prefer London to Paris because of the great theatre and incredible nightclubs. And if you are an adventurous eater, you CAN get great food in London (Chinese, Indian, Thai). Good Luck!

Sheila

I wasn't giong to do this, but... <BR> <BR>Why don't you look at Edinburgh's Hogmanay web site. After all, we invented it! <BR>